NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1441, 16 May 1912, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

IBT GutNCOK.I It is said that Sonile is to 1)0 entered for tlio Epsom and Metropolitan Handicaps at Kiiiulwick, and also for the Cnulficlj and Melbourne Cups. The form of the black liorso in this country lins not been altogether impressive, but it is known, that his owner has always hold tlio view that he was a better horso than ever ho showed himself to be here. A cable message from Sydney yesterday announced Hie safe nrrivnl of Boanerges ai\ci Blakeuey. The first-named will uot be required to sport silk until the ftandwick meeting on June 1, but ]i!akoney may bo given a run at Kosehill this month. The Wairarnpa trainer, Fletcher, was in town yesterday, and informed tho writer that Sinapis was spelling until the spring. Toney has got over the cold which affected him at Blenheim, and may be a runner at Wanganui. Longner lias Ix'o.i turned out on his owner's station at Mastcrion, having broken down bad)}*, and Longstep, who was spelling, has taken Longnvr's place in the stables. It is noticeable that Bandiera has been entered for the. Oamaru Cup and Flying Handicaps, and it will be in'crestiiig to J whether tho chestnut will improve on his North Island form. He is now set to meet Hlne Lake on even terms in the Flying Handicap, but, when th«y met at Trentbam, B!uo Lake was in rccDipt of 181b. In (he meantime Bandiera has run second at Hastings, and Blue Lnke lias won a double at Blenheim, and was also successful at Ashburton. .Byron is now a firm favourite for the Coimolly Handicap at 'Wauganui, in which race he will be ridden by C. Price. Tho Foxton horseman will also ride Sir. 3. Harle's other horse Makara in the siifurlongs event.

C. i'ritchard returned home to the Huit after the Ashburton meeting, but his horses went on to Oamaru in charge of H. I'ritchard, aud irom thsre the trio proceed to Duuedin.

Mr. H. Whitney is sending Odessa and Naumai to the Auckland Heeing Club's winter meeting at Ellerslio, and the pair will bo ridden by the star jockey, B. Deeley.

F, IVootfcon oa his return to England wee, of course, asked his opinions concerning racing in India, and he delivered liimwlf ns follows to u representative of the London "Evening News;":— "The s;iort was extremely interesting, and well carried out ill every way. The courses are grass, and are watered every night after the races are over. The'going is satisfactory. Tho horses may be described'as from just moderate to useful, and they are- mostly imported from Australia. They might win a little handicap here. So far ns their methods of training are concerned, I had limited opportunities for judging, but, generally, speaking, they were lit enough." Going on to express his opinions concerning the flourishing condition and bright prospects of Indian racing, F. Wootron n-a.sespecially wnphaiic in his praise. "Everything is so well organised," he affirmed, "and, although tho stakes are not very valuable-say about .£IOO as an ordinary prize—the keenest interest is taken in the spn>t. I was received everywhere- with t'ie greatest hospitality and kindness, and I cannot be too grateful." I come back just nbout as heavy ns when I left England, and tht lowest weight at which I rode in India was Bst. l'Jlb. Tim climate offered no difficulties, nml I was able to keep fit all the time. Woottnn stated that there arc some very good jockeys in India, Tho starting is all by the gate, and it is worked very satisfactorily. Xo trouble is experienced in that respect. At one meeting he saw a sort of spring arrangement, which flew away before the horses in quite n remarkable manner! it.s.cem«l to have made a great impression on his mind, although he was not prepared to recommend it for general adoption. He also saw n novel kind of jockeys' weighing-machine, which acted automatically, riders simply sitting on it, and the weight being duly registered wilh absolute precision. In fact," added the crack jockey, decisively, "racing in India is all right and thoroughly enjoyable. I was delighted with the trip."

Acceptances for the first day'? events in connection with the Wnnganui Jockc..' Club's winter meeting, next Thursday mid Friday, cloje with tho secretary, Jlr. W. Hall, to-morrow night.

Cr.pital nomination!: have, been received for t!io Wairnrnna Trotting Club's animal meeting on .Tun?. 3, ami present indications ore tliat the fixture will be a very successful one.

Arrangements have been completed ti shin Dearcft to Onmarii to-morrow niplit, and the marc will contest the Cup thorp nest week.' Rim poes down in charge of H. Goodman, and will remain in the south until after the Dune-din fixture next month. Her owner. Mr. .T. flnokley. is president of the North Otnen Chili, and a victory for his colour , ! on hi' own conrse would be very pnmilar. R. Heiil will probably rido the Smilt'mare in her southern engagements.

The New Zealand jockey, flarenet. O'Neill, is the original exponent, in An*tralia of the Tod Sloan stv'e of ridinc over obstacles (snv« the T,nimco=tm! "TViily Telegraph"). O'Neill has l«>i»n in Tnsmania n few weeks, and )n> infemle remaining here for some (ime. Heine a nnn-sxioker, total abstainer, ami one who attend-, (he fraininfr trnek in !h" mnrniue, (">*SCc-ill i> nlwave in (rood ridhig form. Tic win senle Ssl. Tib., a liamlv weight for a ero=s-coii»l''v P'lioe nrrivin? lieTP O'Xeill lias had Vwivteen mount?, and been placed first nine iiiiies. On th« mnitil"iid li<> rode on the flat mid alsn over lnirdles end Tenons sneh Pntnlilo nerfoi-nier« n« Tf-li"lf!).». llatiilnlla; VnhU list.MocliineGun. NVel. Antique, Croiije. and Aii.-.trnlia:i. O'W'l i* now aitinß «« private rrnines , for Mr. T. Gatcnby.

FIXTURES. Mat 23 and 5-I—Wan?anni .T.C. Vfinlcr. May L'.T and 24—North (llajro .T.C. Winter. Jniin 1 and -')-A.I?.C. Winter. ,1 uno 1 Mini 3—Thmodin J.C. Winler. .Time 3 and <-o(:<ki Mtmri -I.C. Winter. June 19 and 20--Ffowke's May J.C. Winter.